By Anthony Rifilato
The interfaith service came as American troops, including those from Baldwin, girded for an increasingly ferocious fight in Iraq. The Baldwin Interfaith Clergy had discussed a peace service months before the onset of war.
"It's something we had been talking about since last fall," said Pastor David Dooley of South Nassau Christian Church. "We decided that when the war started, we would meet."
Nearly 100 people attended the Prayer for Peace and heard from most of the community's religious leaders, who asked that the lives of American soldiers be remembered during this tumultuous time of war.
"There's a big part of me that wishes we weren't here tonight," said Monsignor John Bennett of St. Christopher's. "But there's a big part of me that says we shouldn't be anyplace else."
Pastor Dooley read "A Psalm of Confession," which was followed by a moment of silence, one of several throughout the service. People sat in silent reflection, the only sound the burble of a smiling baby girl in her father's arms, innocently unaware of the violent times.
"O God, even as we pray for the day when no one's children will be sacrificed to war, we pray for the children among us," Pastor Mark Greiner, of First Presbyterian Church, read from "A Prayer For Children."
The interfaith clergy led a procession down the aisle from the altar and lit white candles held by members of the community in a show of solidarity for peace.
Shortly before the service ended, Monsignor Bennett read out the names of Baldwin soldiers serving overseas and asked the community to keep them and their families in their prayers, then sang the hymn "Let There be Peace on Earth."
Afterward, Baldwin residents and the clergy shared their views on the current crisis and why the interfaith service was vital.
"It's important that everyone was together and praying for peace," said parishioner Mary Gallagher, who explained that her next-door neighbor is in the Army and was recently sent to Greenland. "I really felt the spirit here tonight."
Another parishioner, Joann, who would not give her last name, said it was important to pray together. "We ask God to bless our troops and bring them home safely," she said.
Rabbi Robert Judd, of the South Baldwin Jewish Center, said that supporting the troops is vital for their morale. "What I wanted to make sure we got across is that we're here for the soldiers," he said.
